Reaction Rate Chemistry Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

easy
Why does increasing temperature speed up a chemical reaction?

Solution

  1. 1
    Higher temperature means molecules move faster and have more kinetic energy.
  2. 2
    This leads to more frequent collisions and a greater fraction of collisions exceeding the activation energy, increasing the reaction rate.

Answer

More energetic and frequent collisions at higher temperature\text{More energetic and frequent collisions at higher temperature}
As a rough rule, the rate approximately doubles for every 10°C10°\text{C} increase in temperature for many reactions.

About Reaction Rate

The speed at which reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction, quantified as the change in concentration of a reactant or product per.

Learn more about Reaction Rate →

More Reaction Rate Examples

Example 1 easy

List four factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction and explain how each works.

Example 2 medium

In a reaction, the concentration of a reactant decreases from [formula] to [formula] over [formula]

Example 4 medium

Two equal masses of calcium carbonate react with the same acid. One sample is powder and the other i

← All Reaction Rate Examples Reaction Rate Concept